The Proposition: Review By Jay.A.Ottley

After having hearing the raving praise I've from many friends from this film, I decided to give this film a watch and to see if my friends were correct on how amazing the film is and that I would love it. While I'll disagree majorily about it being one of the best Westerns ever. Its a great British flick but its no Sergio Leone Western.

The Story is set on the beautiful Australian outback and follows haste after the brutal rape and murder of the Hopkins family by the hands of the 4 Burns Brother outlaws. Two of the Four brothers, Mikey (Richard Wilson) and Charlie (Guy Pearce) are captured by Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone), in which he lays down a proposition for Charlie. A proposition that will unleash a cycle of brotherly betrayal in violent retribution to its shocking climax to save himself and his youngest brother from gallows, but Charlie has until Christmas Day.

The acting here delivered by Ray Winstone is superb and by far one of his bests to date. He makes his character entirely believeable and shows that he is a policeman with a heart and a man of his word, kind of. Guy Pearce once again delivers an oscar-worthy performance as Charlie, and its sincerly revolting, that he hasn't been commerated with an oscar nor a nomination for Best Actor. Pearce's acting within this film is one that can only be defined as top-form, as an outlaw seeking redemption for the crimes he has committed and the shadows of the crimes his family has committed. Also another shocker was to see one of my favorite British actors in this flick, John Hurt, despite he only has little screen-time, his character is a great laugh and a noteworthy performance.

The directing of this indie flick is a great feature and a brilliant contender but despite its shot beautifully, as are all Westerns. Its fine-storytelling and the writing by Musician Nick Cave, did an amazing job as he did with the score with Warren Ellis.

The score is mesmerising, with a clever use of violins, pianoes and native Indian infused instruments that are serene and relaxing as the cinematic sunsets.

The directing falters a little with a minor continuity error of disappearing blood.

The visuals of this film are outstanding and by visuals I'm talking cinematography here, because I don't think this film took use of SFX. The cinematography handled by Benoit Delhomme is gorgeous, especially in capturing the beauty of the Australian outback over a sunset. The film also captures the use of silhouette shadowing, another amazing use I admired of Delhomme's cinematography. He captures the beauty of the locations and brings out the beauty and disgust in them using his craft, and he deserves his 3 Awards that he won as does Nick Cave & Warren Ellis deserve their 6 for his the score and screenplay.

Overall The Proposition, may not be to everyone's taste and does take a bit to kick off. But its a fine piece of story-telling just like every fine Western is. Its an amazing indie film with spectacular cinematography, a nice score and a brilliant cast line-up.

Thanks for reading this review brought to you by Jay Ottley, and I look forward to your feedback :)